Standardized support element with integrated interface

ABSTRACT

A support element for an electronic control device includes receivers for peripheral electronic components and at least one path region for guiding electrical connections. The electrical connections lead to an integrated standardized interface for connection to central control electronics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a standardized support element according to thepreamble of claim 1 as well as to an electronic control unit having sucha support element, in particular for transmission- or engine controlsystems in the automotive industry.

2. Prior Art

In automotive engineering components such as transmission-, engine- orbrake systems are increasingly controlled mainly electronically. Here,there is a trend towards mechatronic control systems, i.e. theintegration of control electronics and the associated electroniccomponents, such as sensors or valves, in the transmission, the engine,the brake system or the like. The control units generally comprise alarge number of electronic components that are connected to othercomponents outside of the control unit. In the case of such integratedelectronics, these control systems are no longer accommodated in aseparate, specially protected electronics compartment. For this reason,they have to withstand corresponding environmental influences as well asmechanical, thermal and chemical stress.

For this purpose they are normally installed in special hermeticallysealed housings. The housings moreover perform an important screeningfunction. To enable a reliable connection to components situated outsidethe housing, an electrical connection from the housing interior to thehousing exterior and to the peripheral components is required. Systemsare known, in which the central electronics in the housing areelectrically contacted to an all-component support. The all-componentsupport represents a made-to-measure connection of all of the componentssituated outside the control unit to the central electronics. Thisarrangement does however consequently have the drawback that a flexibleconnection of individual peripheral components to the centralelectronics is not possible. Furthermore, the all-component support hasto be specifically redeveloped and redesigned for the respectiveapplication and the specific requirements associated therewith. Thisinvolves a considerable expenditure of time and money.

A design for achieving flexibility of the connection between peripheralcomponents and central electronics is known from DE 10 2004 050 689 A1.This discloses an arrangement for the electrical connection of controlelectronics to peripheral components such as for example sensors, valvesor plug-in connectors by means of a plug-in system comprising a cablechannel and float-mounted mating connectors for the components at theother end of the cable.

As an example of a generic contacting of cable ends to a flexibleprinted-circuit board reference is made to DE 10 2004 050 687 A1. Thisdiscloses a facility for the direct contacting of a cable or a cablebundle, which is attached to a flexible printed-circuit board, and inthis way peripheral components may be connected to the central controlelectronics.

Here too, however, there is in each case the drawback that for eachcontrol unit it is necessary to produce a layout for the housing and thegeometry of the flexible printed-circuit boards that is individuallyadapted and tuned to the relevant components. A modification of thespecifications for contacting the peripheral components or even of thesize and geometry of the central electronics substrate inevitably alsoentails having to find and manufacture a new layout for the connectionof the components, the housing and the flexible printed-circuit boards.This necessity exists independently of whether the flexibleprinted-circuit boards are of an integral construction or take the formof partial components.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a standardizedsupport element that enables a simple, reliable and flexible electricalconnection of functional peripheral components, such as valves, sensors,satellites and external plug-in connectors. At the same time, a designfor a standardized, in particular for a modular, connection ofperipheral components to central electronics is to be made available.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a support elementhaving receivers for peripheral electronic components and at least onepath region for the running of electrical connections as well as by anelectronic control unit comprising one or more support elementsaccording to the invention.

According to the invention it is proposed that the support elementcomprises an electronic connection with uniform interface for componentsdisposed outside the central electronics that is connectable at leastpartially to the contact partners of the printed-circuit board of thecentral electronics. At the same time, the support element comprises atleast one receiver for one or more peripheral components. Thus, thesupport element according to the invention combines the two differentfunctions of secure location and standardized contacting that have uptill now been performed by separate structural parts. Furthermore, withthis combination of functionalities it is also possible to realize astandardization of the contacting with central electronics of integratedmechatronics. It is therefore possible for the first time to provide apreset modular interface for identical or different peripheralcomponents. It is thereby possible to achieve not only an optimumrouting of the signal- and current paths but also easy and flexibleadaptation to different arrangements, functionalities and geometries ofthe peripheral components, such as valves, sensors, satellites or thelike.

Further advantageous refinements and developments that may be usedindividually or in combination with one another are the subject matterof the dependent claims.

In a preferred refinement of the invention, a support element maycomprise one or more integrated electrical connections to one or moreperipheral components. The integrated connections may preferably takethe form of cables, printed conductors, punched grids or plug-inconnectors.

Thus, the layout of the support element may be tailored to therespective type of peripheral component, in relation to which aconnection to the central electronics is to be established. Equally, aplurality of identical or different peripheral components may be fittedinto the support element and connected to the central electronics.According to the invention a modular system for various arrangements ofperipheral components is therefore possible, which allows considerableflexibility of the housing construction and at the same time, because ofthe standardized manufacture, a considerable reduction in cost.

In a further preferred manner, the support element may simultaneouslycomprise a path region for one or more electrical connections. Inaddition to structural support of the electric lines, this has theadvantage of allowing a further shortening and routing of the signal-and current paths. In addition, by virtue of this compact combinationand design of the electronics, on the one hand, and of the peripheralcomponents connected thereto, on the other hand, the susceptibility tofaults and interference is markedly reduced.

In another preferred refinement of the invention, the support elementmay provide additional covers for the electrical connections, whichcovers serve as protection against chips and further contamination byenvironmental influences. In an advantageous manner this allows the useof for example open printed conductor regions as electrical connections,which are completely covered both in the path region in the supply cableto the individual peripheral components and in the region of thestandardized interface with the central electronics. It is thereforepossible to replace any contacting covers that would otherwise berequired.

The connections between the peripheral electronic components to thepreferably standardized interface and the central electronics of thepresent invention may be established in any known manner. Preferably adirect contacting of the electrical connections integrated in thesupport element with the corresponding regions of the printed-circuitboard of the central electronics is effected via the standardizedinterface without further plug-in connectors or mating connectors. Inthis way, both a cost reduction and a reduced susceptibility to faultsmay be achieved. Quality inspection is moreover facilitated because ofthe standardized construction.

In the electronically controlled systems according to the invention, asa connection to the central electronics preferably flexibleprinted-circuit boards are used. These are particularly suitable for usein the case of high mechanical and thermal requirements, such as arisealso in the field of engine- and transmission control systems in motorvehicles. Their flexible design allows easy adaptability to differentelectrical components and/or control electronics. According to theinvention the connection may also be a multi-layer flexibleprinted-circuit board, which by definition comprises two or more printedconductor planes that are separated by insulating layers.

The flexible printed-circuit board may comprise for example a bottompolyimide base foil, on which are disposed metal, preferably copper,printed conductors embedded in an adhesive layer as well as a polyimidecover foil. Further, preferably less expensive materials mayalternatively be used both for the base foil and for the adhesive layer.It is therefore possible for example to reduce costs by providingmaterials that may be applied using a spraying, painting or screenprinting method. It is additionally possible to vary the layer thicknessof the individual layers.

To protect the central electronics, a housing lid may be provided forexample with a seal or a sealing material. Alternatively or additionallythe housing lid may be connected also by riveting, gluing or solderingto the base plate and/or the flexible printed-circuit board of thecentral electronics. The important point here is above all to guaranteeefficient sealing, should the electronic components subsequently beinstalled in an aggressive environment, such as for example in atransmission or in an engine. If the housing lid is fastened by means ofsoldering, then a continuous circumferential metal track is firstdisposed on the surface [of the] flexible printed-circuit board. Thismetal region preferably forms the seating surface of the housing lid.The housing lid may be made of any material that guarantees an adequateprotection of the electronics against the prevailing environmentalinfluences. In addition to housing lids made of plastics material,housing lids made of metal materials may also be used. If the aim is tofasten the housing lid by means of soldering, a housing lid made ofmetal should preferably be provided. This simultaneously offers therequired EMC screening values and increased rigidity.

The support element is made in a preferred manner from a non-metalmaterial, in a particularly preferred manner it takes the form of aplastic injection-molded part or molded-plastic part. In this way acomplex architecture of the support element with receivers and latchingdevices for the peripheral components and for the regions, in which theelectrical connections are run, may be realized.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a flexible printed-circuitboard may be laminated onto the corresponding region of the supportelement. This ensures a reliable, light and inexpensive electricalconnection.

To manufacture a support element according to the invention for acontrol unit, a molded-plastic part is manufactured and equipped withthe desired peripheral components such as valves or sensors. Theperipheral components are then electrically connected preferably by anintegral flexible printed-circuit board or by one or more cables to thestandardized interface, which is likewise disposed in the supportelement according to the invention. The contacting with the electroniccomponents of the central electronics is established via the interfaceand then the optionally provided covers are mounted and fastened ontothe corresponding regions of the electronic connection. Thus, theelectrical connections along the support element and the interface areprotected against external environmental influences. Such externalinfluences may include for example metal chips, which are residues frommanufacture of the transmission- or engine housing and could lead toshorting of the contacting or of the optionally open regions of thecopper printed conductors.

The invention further comprises an electronic control unit thatcomprises one or more support elements according to the precedingdescription. A control unit according to the invention may, because ofthe new support elements, be manufactured in a simplified modular andmore compact design and is less susceptible to faults than the previouscontrol units.

The control unit may be provided for example for an integratedmechatronic control system of the transmission or engine of a motorvehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings by wayof the example of a construction variant, without being restrictedthereto.

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a perspective plan view of the support element, in which fourperipheral components are fitted and which is connected to a closedcentral electronics housing by a standardized interface, and

FIG. 2 a perspective plan view as a detail view of the support elementin FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a support element 1 according to the invention that isprovided for the modular connection of peripheral components 2 by astandardized interface 3 to central control electronics 7 that are to befitted in a motor vehicle transmission. The support element 1 is formedby a complex molded-plastic part 5 having receivers 6 for the individualperipheral components 2 and having a path region 8 for receiving andsupporting the electrical connection 9 as far as the integratedinterface 3 for the central electronics 7. On the path region 8 aflexible printed-circuit board is fastened as an electrical connection.The support element 1 according to the invention and the integratedstandardized interface 3 are each connected in such a way to the centralelectronics 7 that a connection and electrical contacting with the opencopper zones of the flexible printed-circuit board 11 is established. Inan advantageous manner, the design and connection of the interface 3 isadapted in such a way that open printed conductor regions of theflexible printed-circuit board 11 may be covered completely and at leastin a chip-proof manner. It is therefore possible to dispense with anadditional contacting cover above the printed-circuit board 11.Additional contacting covers (not represented) may optionally beprovided for protecting against chips and against other environmentalinfluences.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the support element of FIG. 1. Forsecure seating of the peripheral components 2, besides the receivers 6of a form-fit design latching devices 12 are additionally provided. Inthe figure the individual electrical connections 9 are disposed in thepath region 8 of the support element in such a way that an optimumrouting of the signal- and current paths is achieved. The standardizedinterface 3 for connection to the printed conductor regions of thecentral electronics additionally comprises a cover 14. In this way, itis possible extensively to dispense with individual contacting covers.

1. A support element, comprising: peripheral electronic components;receivers for said peripheral electronic components; at least one pathregion; central control electronics; an integrated standardizedinterface; and electrical connections guided by said at least one pathregion and leading into said integrated standardized interface forconnection to said central control electronics.
 2. The support elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the support element is a plasticinjection-molded part or a molded-plastic part.
 3. The support elementaccording to claim 1, which further comprises a plurality of identicalor different peripheral components.
 4. The support element according toclaim 3, wherein said peripheral components are valves.
 5. The supportelement according to claim 1, wherein said electronic connectionsinclude a multisection cable or a flexible printed-circuit board.
 6. Thesupport element according to claim 5, wherein said flexibleprinted-circuit board has open printed conductor regions.
 7. The supportelement according to claim 1, wherein said electronic connections have acover.
 8. The support element according to claim 1, wherein saidintegrated standardized interface includes a cover for points of contactwith said central electronics.
 9. An electronic control unit,comprising: at least one support element according to claim
 1. 10. Anintegrated mechatronic transmission control system of a motor vehicle,the control system comprising: a support element according to claim 1.